Royal ceremony relived to welcome New year

The ceremony followed the exact traditional procedures of past royals.

The ceremony featured a bamboo tree parade from Hiển Nhơn Gate to Thế Miếu Shrine, where Nguyen emperors were worshipped.

According to tradition, only high-ranking mandarins above third class were allowed to host the ceremony. The planting of the Nêu Pole also signified the break of the Royal Court's activities for the New Year Holiday.

The Emperor would then order the Royal Seal, Sword and Pen to be hung till proceedings resumed on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. The meaning behind this ceremony was to prevent evil and stop demons. Ancestor worship was intended to clear all troubles.

All of these allowed the Vietnamese people to enter the new year with a fresh start and a happy mind. Citizens would only begin their New Year celebrations after the Nêu Pole was planted.